With hybridization they promised build diversity but now we no longer have the magicka/stamina version for each class, little by little they’re killing all the situational or slightly below-meta sets, the class sets (which should shine) are garbage. Now all the builds are the same.

I really don’t understand what they’re trying to achieve

In PVE we rarely have 7 targets in any meaningful way. We use it for 3-4 target fights, but with the change to scaling its very much dead in those scenarios.

baconaura wrote: »

virtus753 wrote: »

Can someone explain the overall buff to Azure at 7 enemies that was promised in the dev comment? I'm not sure I'm understanding it.

If x = current base damage, here's what I'm figuring for the math:

Right now, it starts at 1.3x (since the 30% applies even with just one enemy), then goes up to 1.6x for two, 1.9x for three, 2.2x for four, 2.5x for five, and 2.8x for six enemies. Then it stops scaling (2.8x representing a bonus of 180% over 1x).

As of this PTS incremental, it will start at 0.4x (losing 60% of the base damage) for one enemy, then it will start scaling with additional enemies by 100% (of the new 0.4x base) per enemy: 0.8x for two, 1.2x for three, 1.6x for four, 2x for five, 2.4x for six, 2.8x for seven. Then it stops scaling. 2.8x is the expected increase of 600% over 0.4x, in line with the notes.

But 2.8x (current cap on live) is equal to 2.8x (current cap on PTS), with the only difference being it takes one more enemy to reach it. Where is the "slight buff" coming from on PTS at 7 enemies?

there is no buff, its actually a nerf, because it requires 1 more target for it to match the current 6 targets for capped damage which is the same for both prenerf and the proposed nerf to AB

It's clearly a nerf that it will require 7 enemies to reach cap as opposed to 6.

The devs are not claiming otherwise in that respect. What they are saying is that the new cap (at 7) is a "slight buff" over the old cap (at 6) purely in terms of ceiling.

The issue is that it seems they haven't provided enough information in the patch notes to support that characterization.

Theoretically, if they are nerfing the base damage even a little less than 60%, then there will be a higher cap. For example, if it's a 59% nerf instead of 60%, then the new scaling is:

0.41x, 0.82x, 1.23x, 1.64x, 2.05x, 2.46x, 2.87x

That would match their claim that there is a "slight buff" at cap, as 2.87x > 2.8x.

If they think the "slight buff" is significant enough to mention, however, then I think they also need to provide enough information in the patch notes to show that. They've approximated the nerf to base damage with the ~ in front of 60%, so they didn't think it was necessary to give a more specific number, but then they've made a claim that seems to require the specific number to support it. If they want to approximate the nerf to "~60%," then they should also approximate the result as "roughly the same" in terms of cap.

ApoAlaia wrote: »

A user in Skinny's discord tested the PTS version of AB and the cooldown is now 1s instead of 0.5s so even in situations when you could conceivably stack seven banners (which are rare as hen's teeth) you are still doing half the damage the set would have done on live.

It is well an truly dead.

At this point they may as well 'have a change of heart' next patch and reinstate it for PvP. It has now all the changes that had been requested anyway, may as well.

In PvE we ate U35 and we are still here so at this point we've basically signalled loud and clear that there are no mental gymnastics we won't go through to justify [to ourselves] any uncalled for changes after the fact.

damn just noticed that too. this set is truly gonna be dead then. nerfed another 50% on top. Looks like it might not even be useful in trash fights at all.

This really needs to be reverted, otherwise the list of sets that people use, is gonna shrink again. Its just going to force everyone back to arcanist on coral/deadly.

does ZOS really want everyone just to show up in coral/deadly? with 0 set diversity?

With the arcanist nerfs, it allows more class diversity in the group compositions now. but classes that are still very single target like sorc and nightblade are gonna be at a disadvantage and continue to be overlooked if azureblight is nerfed, and they cant really bring anything to the group. azureblight helps those classes with cleave damage. killing this set will pretty much guarantee prog groups asking for mostly arcanists only because of the cleave, and reducing opportunities for classes that excel single target.

Maybe next time gather some feedback, on proposed changes, to allow the community to have some discussion about it, before rolling it out to PTS for live testing. because right now these surprising changes that are forced upon us in a haphazard way with 0 thoughts on the consequences are crazy, and alot of us are scratching our heads on why they are doing it this way.

pretty much going to be like an 84% damage reduction on 1 target, 75% on 2 targets, and 68% damage reduction on 3 targets. at max targets, its still a 50% nerf:


beyond 3 targets, there are not very many situations, or its just trash, and they die fast enough in beam anyways that arcs in coral/deadly or acuity setups will just clear it in 5-10s

This is really disheartening.

In PvE many encounters in the hardest/most recent trials were built with AB in its current state, and those clearing this content at HM and trifecta level are using this set to do so. What happens to all the groups currently progging who suddenly lose the ability to pull the numbers needed?

This is the kind of change that knocks down players and groups who are close to accomplishing something to the level of players/groups who no longer have a chance. AKA a good way to lose more players from mid to end game raiding.

acastanza_ESO wrote: »

KKolly wrote: »

Devs please listen to this man. The [Snip] are here in force, while the average player is on their local Discord rejoicing and considering coming back to ESO for real group PvP. Blackreach PC NA is dead most nights. GH is not far out. You have no idea the reception this gets.

Now AB should exist to counter balls. The average group of 5-6 ABers should be able to harass a ball and even wipe a bad one. But it should in no one's hand be able to singularly bomb a group of 12 with m+M Evasion up.

But if its between a sledgehammer to the set and the continued death of organized PvP, I choose the Sledgehammer. But the rollback solution to the original "nerf" could be a real compromise. I highly suggest pursuing it.

[Snip]

The [Snip] are here in force, while the average player is on their local Discord rejoicing and considering coming back to ESO for real group PvP.

LMAO No. The average player is bemoaning this unwarranted gift [Snip]. The only people rejoicing are the ballgroupers that are actually killing PVP.

[Snip]

Its so weird. Ball groups are at an all time low. There are fewer and fewer of them than there ever have been.

Meanwhile Gray Host is as dead as its ever been. But it must be those evil ballgroups that barely exist that are turning everyone away!

[Snip]

[Edited quote and for Baiting/Bashing]